Inductive clamp devices, systems, and methods

ABSTRACT

Inductive clamps for use in utility locate operations for inductively coupling current signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried conductor are disclosed.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to clamp devices used to induce signalonto utility lines or other conductors. More specifically, but notexclusively, this disclosure relates to inductive clamp devices,systems, and methods as used in utility locating operations.

BACKGROUND

Buried utility locators (also denoted herein for brevity as “locators”)are devices for sensing magnetic fields emitted from hidden or buriedconductors (e.g., underground utilities such as pipes, conduits, orcables), and processing the received signals to determine informationabout the conductors and the associated underground environment.

While some buried utilities are electrically energized (e.g.,underground power cables) or carry currents coupled from radio signalsor other electromagnetic radiation, in some buried utility locationoperations (also denoted herein as a “locate” for brevity) currents aregenerated and coupled, either directly, inductively, or capacitively,from a buried utility transmitter (also denoted herein as a“transmitter” for brevity). These transmitters generate output currentsignals for coupling either directly or inductively or capacitively to atargeted utility. This may be done with clamps that provide directlyphysical connections, as well as claims that provide inductive orcapacitive coupling to induce the current signals onto the utility.

Clamp devices known in the art fail to effectively reduce unnecessaryeddy current losses and may be lacking in configurability to specificuse. Furthermore, existing clamp devices lack the ability to detectand/or communicate utility data and/or other pertinent locateinformation to other system devices. Further, existing clamp devices mayfurther require the use of a connected transmitter device to function.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-describedas well as other problems.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to clamp devices used to inducecurrent signals onto utility lines or other conductors. Morespecifically, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to inductiveclamp devices, systems, and methods for use in utility locatingoperations (also denoted as “utility locates”).

For example, in one aspect the disclosure relates to an inductive clampfor use in utility locate operations. The clamp may include, forexample, a head assembly including a base element and a plurality of armelements coupled to the base element and a handle assembly including autility selector element coupled to the head assembly. The clamp mayfurther include a magnetic core subassembly for generating a magneticfield for coupling to a targeted utility. The magnetic core subassemblymay include a plurality of ferrite elements and a wire winding wrappedabout one or more of the ferrite elements.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for implementingthe above-described functionality, in whole or in part

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to non-transitory processorreadable media for implementing the above-described functionality, inwhole or in part.

Various additional aspects, features, and functions are described belowin conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 32 of the appended Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application may be more fully appreciated in connection withthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a utility locating system embodimentutilizing an inductive clamp device.

FIG. 2 is a detailed isometric view of the inductive clamp deviceembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed isometric view of the inductive clamp deviceembodiment of FIG. 1 with arm elements open.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the head assembly embodiment of theinductive clamp device embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the magnetic core subassembly embodimentin FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the handle assembly embodiment of theinductive clamp device embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 along line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of an inductive clampdevice.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an inductive clamp device embodimentconfigured as a stand-alone signal generation and coupling device orintegrated inductive clamp.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an inductive clamp device embodiment ofFIG. 9 with a battery attached to the inductive clamp device handle.

FIG. 11A is an illustration of a utility locating system embodimentutilizing multiple different inductive clamp device embodiments.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method by whichdata/information may be exchanged, processed, and/or communicated tousers within a locating system embodiment utilizing multiple differentinductive clamp device embodiments.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an inductive clamp device embodiment inopen induction mode.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an alternative inductive clamp deviceembodiment in open induction mode with connected direct connect clip.

FIG. 14A is a side view of an inductive clamp device embodimentillustrating interchangeability of arm elements.

FIG. 14B is a side view of an inductive clamp device embodiment furtherillustrating the interchangeability of arm elements.

FIG. 14C illustrates an inductive clamp device embodiment fitted with avariety of differently sized arms.

FIG. 15 is a detailed isometric view of an alternative inductive clampdevice embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the head assembly of the inductive clampdevice embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17A is an exploded view of the magnetic core subassembly embodimentof FIG. 16.

FIG. 17B is a diagram demonstrating a divider or passive parallelcrossover network circuit embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the handle assembly embodiment of theinductive clamp device embodiment of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 along line19-19.

FIG. 20A is a diagram of an embodiment of a process for timemultiplexing frequencies.

FIG. 20B is a diagram of another embodiment of a process for timemultiplexing of frequencies.

FIG. 20C is a diagram of another embodiment of a process for timemultiplexing of frequencies.

FIG. 20D is a diagram of another embodiment of a process of timemultiplexing of frequencies.

FIG. 20E is a diagram of another embodiment of a process for timemultiplexing of frequencies.

FIG. 20G is a diagram illustrating inductive clamps device embodimentseach inducing multiple frequencies simultaneously.

FIG. 20F is a diagram of another embodiment of a process for timemultiplexing of frequencies.

FIG. 21 illustrates details of one embodiment of a multi-frequencywaveform generation process.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of an inductive clamp device embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an inductive clamp device embodimentwith arm elements open.

FIG. 24A is an exploded view of an inductive clamp device embodiment.

FIG. 24B is a detailed isometric view of an embodiment of center rackcomponents.

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of an arm and base assembly embodiment.

FIG. 26A is a front view of a utility designator device embodiment.

FIG. 26B is a rear view of a utility designator device embodiment.

FIG. 27A is an illustration of a utility locating system using utilitydesignator device embodiments.

FIG. 27B is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process for powering anddata communication with a utility designator device embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of an induction stick device embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of an induction stick device embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a section view of the induction stick device embodiment fromFIG. 28 along line 30-30.

FIG. 31 is an embodiment of a circuit diagram for use in an inductionstick device embodiment.

FIG. 32 is an illustration of a stand-alone induction stick deviceembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview

This disclosure relates generally to clamp devices used to inducecurrent signals onto utility lines or other conductors. Morespecifically, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to inductiveclamp devices, systems, and methods for use in utility locatingoperations (also denoted as “utility locates”).

For example, in one aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments mayinclude a base element and one or more arm elements configured to beopened and further closed about a conductor such as a utility line. Theclamp may include magnets or other attachment mechanisms to retain thearm(s) in an open or closed position. A magnetic core subassembly, whichmay comprise ferrite or other magnetically permeable materials asmagnetic core elements, may encircle a targeted utility/conductor whenthe arm elements are closed about the conductor, such as around a stuboff a pipe or other conductor. One or more wire windings, which may beLitz wire or other conductive wires or materials, may be wound about themagnetic core elements of the magnetic core subassembly to generatemagnetic fields for inducing electromagnetic signal(s) onto theconductor. The inductive clamp devices may further include a utilityselector element for allowing a user to select a particular type ofutility, along with sensors and electronics to sense the selectedutility type and provide a corresponding output signal. The outputsignal may be stored in a memory of the inductive clamp and/or may betransmitted via a wired or wireless communication module to otherdevices or systems used in the locate operation.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be configuredto induce signals onto a utility line or other conductor while the armelements are in an open position (also referred to herein as “openinduction mode”), partially closed about a utility, or fully closedabout a utility (also referred to herein as “closed induction mode”).The induction mode may be sensed and data corresponding with the sensedinduction mode may be stored in a memory of the clamp and/or transmittedto another device or system used in the locate operation. Datacorresponding with the induction mode may further be associated, stored,and/or transmitted with other data, such as data corresponding to aselected utility type or other selected utility information.

In another aspect, embodiments of the magnetic core subassembly of theinductive clamp may comprise multiple magnetic core components orpieces. Such magnetic core components or pieces may be configured in ageometric configuration to reduce gaps between other magnetic corepieces, in some embodiments to the greatest extent possible for a givengeometry. As one example, a stacked geometry of magnetic core piecesmay, as illustrated and described subsequently herein, substantiallyeliminate gapping between other magnetic core pieces based on shaping ofthe magnetic core components. The particular geometry may be selected tofurther prevent gapping between magnetic core pieces when the inductiveclamp device is used in open induction mode and/or in arm positions inbetween fully open and fully closed.

In another aspect, locating system embodiments may include multipleinductive clamp devices operating simultaneously. The inductive clampdevices in such a system may be configured to run at differentfrequencies and/or multiplexed to allow a locator to separately identifyeach utility, and may be of different types (e.g., one clamp may includean integrated transmitter module and another may be coupled to aseparate transmitter or transmitters). In some embodiments a singleinduction clamp may be configured to operate at different frequenciesand/or provide multiplexed output signs in a similar fashion.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may incorporatetwo or more separate windings that may be comprised of different types,sizes, and/or number of turns on the same magnetic core or on multiplemagnetic cores of the magnetic core subassembly. In embodiments withmultiple windings, electronic circuitry may be included to generate anddrive output signals at two or more frequencies simultaneously. Suchcircuitry may include, but is not limited to, electronic circuitsincluding a divider or passive parallel crossover network, or a circuitthat uses separate inductors to produce one or more high Q resonantcircuits, or other circuitry configured to produce resonance at one ormore frequencies. In some embodiments, additional resonant circuitsincluding windings about the magnetic core components of each arm may beused. The different frequency outputs may in some embodiments be phaselocked or synchronized, whereas in other embodiments may not be phaselocked or synchronized.

In another aspect, embodiments of inductive clamp devices may include atensioning element for securely holding the device arm elements in aselected position, such as an open position, a closed position, or aposition somewhere in between. Such a tensioning element may allow theinductive clamp device to be self-supporting in the various arm elementspositions and hold to a utility when in use. Exemplary tensioningelements may include mechanical gears, springs, motorized gears, and thelike, which may further be configured for single-handed use, remotelycontrolled, and/or controlled through push-button controls on theinductive clamp device. Position sensors and/or magnets and magneticsensors and associated electronic circuitry may be included within aninductive clamp device for detecting the relative position of the armelements in relation to the body of the inductive clamp device andgenerating data corresponding to the arm position. The datacorresponding to the arm position may be stored in a memory of the clampand/or may be transmitted to another device or element of the locatesystem, and/or to a remote electronic computing device or system.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may include autility selector element to allow a user to designate the type ofutility, frequency selection, operating mode, and/or select other systemparameters or modes. The utility selector element may include an offswitch to power off the inductive clamp device, as well as additionalselector elements. A separate on/off switch or button may be used infurther inductive clamp device embodiments. The utility selector elementmay include mechanical elements and/or electronic circuitry to determinea user-selected utility type or other parameters and generate datacorresponding to the determined type or other parameters. The determineddata may be stored in a memory of the clamp and/or transmitted to otherdevice or elements of the locate system, and/or to remove electroniccomputing devices or system. The data may be communicated via a wired orwireless communications module disposed in or coupled to the inductiveclamp. One or more processing elements in the inductive clamp may beused to receive, process, and/or send the determined data and/or controloperation of the inductive clamp device. In some embodiments, aninductive clamp device embodiment may be powered on and off remotelythrough, for example, a remote control connection implemented withelectronic circuitry and actuated by, for example, a signal from alocator or other locate system device.

In another aspect, some inductive clamp device embodiments may operatein conjunction with a coupled external transmitter, whereas otherembodiments may include an integral transmitter module (also denotedherein as an “integrated inductive clamp” or “integrated clamp” todenote integration of the transmitter into the clamp). An inductiveclamp device may, for example, physically connect to a transmitterdevice for signal generation and communication link purposes. Otherinductive clamp device embodiments may be configured with an integratedtransmitter module and circuitry, electronics, and/or other componentsto function as a stand-alone signal generation and coupling device,thereby eliminating the need for a separate coupled transmitter device.In such embodiments, a separate power source, such as rechargeablebatteries, may be used to power the inductive clamp device. Inembodiments configured to operate as a stand-alone signal generation andcoupling device or integrated coupling device, the battery may connectto a separate battery connector. A ground stake, capacitive footing,and/or other grounding methods may be used to ground such integratedclamp embodiments. Such grounding may only be used when the device isused in a direct connect mode and not in an inductive connection mode.

Such integrated clamps may include combinations of sensors and/or otherelements, modules, and/or components for providing the various functionsas described subsequently herein. In embodiments with a separatetransmitter, a cord or cable connecting the transmitter device andinductive clamp device may also be used to provide a data communicationlink, in conjunction with communication modules in each device, betweentwo or more devices. Inductive clamp device embodiments may beconfigured to accommodate various cord or cable types. Examples of thesetypes may include coiled or straight cords, standard stereo jack cordsor other standard jacks, cords with straight or right angle connectors,and/or cables containing two or more conductors which may be twistedconductors to reduce radiated signals. The various cords and cables maycontain threads or other securing features designed to mate with lockingmechanisms on the inductive clamp device.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may contain one ormore ports or jacks for connecting other clamps of various types,grounding stakes, and/or other accessory devices. Such a port or jackmay provide the ability to induce current onto multiple conductorssimultaneously and sequentially which may include multiplexing ofsignals in time and/or frequency.

In another aspect, an inductive clamp device may include magneticshielding partially or fully through the device handle to furtherminimize influence of external fields from cables and wires. In someembodiments containing various sensors, other devices, and technologiesas described subsequently herein, may be included as may be disposedoutside of any magnetic shielding.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may includefeatures or structures to receive various cord or cables and/or lockingmechanisms for securing the cord or cables in place.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be configuredto communicate via one or more wired or wireless communication moduleswith other locate system devices such as, but not limited to, locatordevices, transmitter devices, base stations, other inductive clampdevices, smart phones, laptops, tablet or notebook computers, or otherlocal or remote electronic computing devices or systems, such as remoteserver systems or other remote computers. The communication linksbetween the inductive clamp or clamps and other devices may include theuse of wired and/or wireless communication modules such as wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) modules such as WiFi, Bluetooth modules,industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio modules, Ethernet,serial, or parallel wired communication modules, sondes, and/or othercommunication modules.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be include avariety of additional sensors and other components. These may include,but are not limited to, global navigation systems (GNS) modules such asglobal position system (GPS) receiver modules, accelerometers, compasssensors, gyroscopic sensors, other inertial/position sensors, geophones,magnetic sensors, gas sensors, sondes, temperature sensors,environmental condition sensors, camera modules, microphone modules,infrared (IR) cameras or sensors, other visual or imaging sensors ormodules, acoustic sensors, and the like. Gas sensors may be used fordetecting potentially hazardous gas leaks and subsequently alert a userif such a leak is detected. Acoustic sensors may, for instance, be foracoustic leak detection or detecting vibration. The camera and/or otherimaging sensors may be used to document how an inductive clamp device isconnected to a utility line. The microphone may be used for detectingvoice commands from a user and subsequently controlling various aspectsof the inductive clamp device. Magnetic sensor(s) may, for instance, beutilized to measure magnetic output field produced by the inductiveclamp device in use. The measured output of the clamp may further beused to feedback the specific output power of the inductive clamp deviceand/or determine if the clamp is fully closed or not. Embodiments ofinductive clamp devices may be time synchronized with other systemdevices. This time synchronization may use the internal GPS sensor toprovide precise time to the inductive clamp device. In otherembodiments, the time synchronization may be communicated to theinductive clamp device either wirelessly or devices physically connectedto the inductive clamp device.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may includeelectronic circuitry or modules for time synchronization of the clampdevice and associated generated signals or data with other locate systemdevices.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may includeprocessing elements, memory, electronic circuitry, and other componentsfor data logging. Such data logging may be done with an externallyaccessible and/or removable storage device such as a USB thumbstickand/or with internal memory devices, modules, or systems. In someembodiments, data may be transmitted to other system devices for datalogging purposes, such as via one or more wired or wirelesscommunication modules.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may include one ormore indicators to communicate device information to a user, which mayinclude one or more audible, visual, and/or haptic feedback elements ormodules. Inductive clamp device embodiments may include a separatedipole transmitter configured to produce a signal that may be sensed bya locator device, such as to determine a relative position of theinductive clamp device. This signal may be provided from the inductiveclamp device so as to be separate and distinct from other signals assensed by the locator device, and may be used to sense or determine therelative position of the inductive clamp device or for other signalingor data processing functions. Example indicators may include, but arenot limited to, audible indicators such as speakers and/or visualindicators such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and/or other graphicdisplays and/or light emitting diodes (LEDs) such as daylight readableLEDs to indicate proper closure of the inductive clamp device arms abouta utility. In embodiments where magnetic speakers are be used, themagnetic speaker may be used to generate electromagnetic signals thatmay be sensed by a locating device. A vibration motor(s) and/or othermotion or haptic feedback element may be included in an inductive clampdevice embodiment to provide tactile or haptic feedback to the user,such as providing feedback corresponding to the various settings, data,and parameters described herein.

In another aspect, the arms and/or ferrites within the arms and clampbody embodiments may be configured so as to be readily user replaceable.In some such embodiments, the arms may be designed to break away,mechanically disconnect, or come apart when overstressed. In furtherembodiments, the arms and/or clamp head may be configured to be readilyuser replaceable such that differently sized and/or configured armsand/or clamp heads may be used. For example, a user may be able toreplace the arms or entire head of an inductive clamp device or separatethe arms or head to allow the device to fully close about an unusuallywide or otherwise difficult to access conduit or utility line. Inembodiments with replaceable arms and/or heads, an inductive clampdevice embodiment may sense the size of the arms or clamp head installedor may sense the opening size or other arm orientation information andstore the information in a memory of the clamp and/or send theinformation via a wired or wireless connection to another locate systemdevice.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be sealed andbe fully or partially submersible or water or other fluid impermeable orresistant.

In another aspect, an active signal transmitted by an inductive clampdevice embodiment may include encoded data. This data may be encodedthrough use of phase-shift keying (PSK) or binary phase-shift keying(BPSK) or through the use of other encoding methods and may include datacorresponding to the various information and parameters associated withthe inductive clamp device as described herein. Such an inductive clampdevice may be configured to read, log, and/or retransmit data generatedor received at the inductive clamp device or data corresponding tosignals sent from the inductive device.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be configuredto be used as a sensing element (in place of or in addition to a signalgeneration element) in ether a closed or open state. The inductive clampdevice may passively measure, record, and/or analyze the signature of asignal on a utility, such as a signal already present in the utilityline and/or signal actively produced with other system devices such asother transmitters or other inductive clamp devices. Such sensed datamay be communicated to various other system devices via wired orwireless communication modules incorporated in or coupled to theinductive clamp device. This data may include raw, unprocessed measuredsignal, processed signals, sensed signals, or other data or informationassociated with inductive clamp devices as described herein.

In another aspect, inductive clamp device embodiments may be configuredto secure to a hot stick or other extension arm allowing a user todeploy an inductive clamp device into area which may otherwise bedifficult or unsafe to access, such as submerged utilities or aroundhigh voltage lines or into other dangerous or difficult areas. In suchembodiments, the inductive clamp device may be configured withelectronic circuitry and/or mechanical elements to open and close aswell as control other device features remotely. Such remote controlconfigurations may include the use of wireless communication modules,mechanical actuation elements such as a cable or rope and pulley system,optical elements, and/or other elements for remotely controlling theinductive clamp device.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an inductive clamp for usein utility locate operations. The clamp may include, for example, a headassembly including a base element and a plurality of arm elementscoupled to the base element and a handle assembly including a utilityselector element coupled to the head assembly. The clamp may furtherinclude a magnetic core subassembly for generating a magnetic field forcoupling to a targeted utility. The magnetic core subassembly mayinclude a plurality of ferrite elements and a wire winding wrapped aboutone or more of the ferrite elements.

The arm elements may, for example, be configured to be movably openedand closed. The arm elements may be movably closable in response tocontact with a utility line. The arm elements may be retained in an openor closed configuration by a plurality of magnets disposed in anorientation to provide an attractive force. The plurality of magnets mayinclude one or more of back arm magnets, base element magnets, and frontarm magnets. The clamp may further include a tensioning element forholding the arm elements in a selected position.

The clamp may further include, for example, one or more sensor elementsor other circuit elements or modules. The one or more circuit elementsor modules may include an integrated GPS receiver module orelectronically coupled GPS receiver or module. The one or more sensorelements or modules may include integrated or coupled camera module. Theone or more sensor elements or modules may include environmental orphysical parameters sensors or modules.

The utility selector element may, for example, include a sensor assemblyand electronics to sense a position or orientation of the utilityselector element and provide an output signal corresponding to theselected position or orientation. The selector element may include or becoupled to one or more communications modules. An output signalcorresponding to a selected position or orientation of the utilityselector element may be provided as a wired or wireless output signalfrom the communications module. The selected position or orientation maycorrespond to a utility type, frequency, or other output signal or clampparameter. The position or orientation of the utility selector elementmay be stored in a non-transitory memory in the inductive clamp. Theutility selector element may include text or an icon or a color or asymbol to represent a selected utility type or other parameter.

The clamp may, for example, include an integrated utility locatortransmitter module. The integrated transmitter module may be configuredto generate an output current signal at one or more selectedfrequencies. The output current signal may be generated as a multiplexedsignal. The output current may be generated as multiple output currentsignals. The output current signal may be time and/or frequencymultiplexed. The plurality of frequencies of the output current signalmay be time multiplexed on a single current output signal or on multiplecurrent output signals. The output current signal may comprise aplurality of separate output current signals. Ones of the plurality offrequencies may be provided on different ones of the separate outputcurrent signals.

The clamp may, for example, comprise an intelligent battery coupled tothe inductive clamp or integral with the inductive clamp. The clamp mayinclude one or more ports for coupling other clamps or accessories. Theone or more ports may include a USB port. The clamp may include one ormore data communications modules disposed in or coupled to the inductiveclamp. The data communications module may be a wireless datacommunications module. The data communications module may be a wireddata communications module.

The clamp may, for example, include an LCD display for providing anindication of a utility selector element state or for providing otherdata or information associated with the clamp operation, such asfrequency, output power, and/or other data or information. The clamp mayfurther comprise a microphone or other audio or vibrational inputelement. The clamp may comprise a speaker, buzzer, or other audio outputelement.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to methods for implementingthe above-described functionality, in whole or in part.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to non-transitory processorreadable media for implementing the above-described functionality, inwhole or in part.

Various additional aspects, features, and functions are described belowin conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 32 of the appended Drawings.

The disclosures herein may be combined in various embodiments with thedisclosures in co-assigned patents and patent applications, includingtransmitter and locator devices and associated apparatus, systems, andmethods, as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,399, entitledOMNIDIRECTIONAL SONDE AND LINE LOCATOR, issued Mar. 7, 2006, U.S. Pat.No. 7,443,154, entitled MULTI-SENSOR MAPPING OMNIDIRECTIONAL SONDE ANDLINE LOCATOR, issued Oct. 28, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 7,518,374, entitledRECONFIGURABLE PORTABLE LOCATOR EMPLOYING MULTIPLE SENSOR ARRAY HAVINGFLEXIBLE NESTED ORTHOGONAL ANTENNAS, issued Apr. 14, 2009, U.S. Pat. No.7,288,929, entitled INDUCTIVE CLAMP FOR APPLYING SIGNAL TO BURIEDUTILITIES, issued Oct. 30, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 7,276,910, entitled ACOMPACT SELF-TUNED ELECTRICAL RESONATOR FOR BURIED OBJECT LOCATORAPPLICATIONS, issued Oct. 2, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 7,990,151, entitled TRIPOD BURIED LOCATOR SYSTEM, issued Aug. 2, 2011, U.S. Pat. No. 7,825,647,entitled COMPACT LINE ILLUMINATOR FOR LOCATING BURIED PIPES AND CABLES,issued Nov. 2, 2010, U.S. Pat. No. 8,264,226, U.S. Pat. No. 7,619,516,entitled SINGLE AND MULTI-TRACE OMNIDIRECTIONAL SONDE AND LINE LOCATORSAND TRANSMITTERS USED THEREWITH, issued Nov. 17, 2009, U.S. Pat. No.8,264,226, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING BURIED PIPES ANDCABLES WITH A MAN PORTABLE LOCATOR AND A TRANSMITTER IN A MESH NETWORK,issued Sep. 11, 2012, United States Patent entitled OMNIDIRECTIONALSONDE AND LINE LOCATOR, issued Mar. 7, 2006, U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,056,entitled A BURIED OBJECT LOCATOR SYSTEM EMPLOYING AUTOMATED VIRTUALDEPTH EVENT DETECTION AND SIGNALING, issued Aug. 21, 2012, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/618,746, entitled DUALANTENNA SYSTEMS WITH VARIABLE POLARIZATION, filed Mar. 31, 2012, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/570,211, entitled PHASE-SYNCHRONIZEDBURIED OBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHODS, filed Aug. 8,2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/469,024, entitled BURIEDOBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS, filed May 10, 2012, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/676,989, entitled QUAD-GRADIENT COILS FOR USE INA LOCATING SYSTEM, filed Nov. 11, 2012, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/485,078, entitled LOCATOR ANTENNA CONFIGURATION,filed on May 11, 2011, and U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/332,268 entitled UTILITY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER DEVICES, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS WITH DOCKABLE APPARATUS, filed on Jul. 15, 2014, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/859,708, entitled UTILITYLOCATING SYSTEM WITH MOBILE BASE STATION, filed Jul. 29, 2013. Thecontent of each of these applications is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety (these applications may be collectively denotedherein as the “incorporated applications”).

The following exemplary embodiments are provided for the purpose ofillustrating examples of various aspects, details, and functions of thepresent disclosure; however, the described embodiments are not intendedto be in any way limiting. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art that various aspects may be implemented in other embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that as used herein, the term, “exemplary” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect, detail, function,implementation, and/or embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects and/or embodiments.

Example Inductive Clamp Devices Embodiments for Use in Utility LocatingSystems

Turning to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a locating system 100utilizing an example inductive clamp device embodiment 110, inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure, connected to autility transmitter device 120 via cable 130 and coupled to utility line140. Inductive clamp device embodiment 110 may correspond with any ofthe inductive clamp embodiments described subsequently herein (in someembodiments as described subsequently herein, the transmitter may beincorporated within the inductive clamp to form an integrated inductiveclamp).

The locating system 100 may further include a locator device such as thelocator device 150 carried by a user 160. A ground stake 170 may connectto the transmitter module 120 and provide grounding. Grounding is onlytypically used when the transmitter module 120 is used in a directconnect mode, wherein a direct physical conductive connection is made tothe utility or a coupled conductive element. In inductive applications,current is coupled without the need for direct physical conductivecontact via magnetic fields or, in some implementations, capacitively.The transmitter device 120 generates current signals to be provided tohidden or buried utilities to induce electromagnetic signals onto aconductor(s), such as the utility line 140, which is typically buriedunderground or otherwise at least partially hidden from direct access.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, these electromagnetic signals may be inducedonto the utility line 140 through the coupled inductive clamp device110. The user 160, holding the locator 150 as shown, which is configuredto sense the emitted magnetic field signal(s) associated with currentflow in the utility line 140, may then determine information associatedwith the buried utility line 140, such as depth, position, location,orientation, conductor current, soil condition, presence of otherutilities, and the like. Details of various locator and transmitterembodiments as may be used in the system of FIG. 1 are described in theincorporated applications. For example, the locator 150 may be a locatorsuch as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/570,211,entitled PHASE-SYNCHRONIZED BURIED OBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM, ANDMETHODS, filed Aug. 8, 2012, and the transmitter device 120 may be atransmitter described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/332,268, entitledUTILITY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS WITH DOCKABLEAPPARATUS, filed on Jul. 15, 2014, or the locator and transmitter may beother devices as described in the incorporated application or as areknown or developed in the art.

A data communications link may be established between the inductiveclamp device 110 and/or transmitter module 120 and/or the locator 150and/or other locate system elements, such as a remote server or computersystem or other electronic computing device or system. The link may bewireless and be established using a wireless data communications modulein the clamp, or may be via a wired datalink incorporated in or coupledto the inductive clamp device 110 and/or the transmitter module 120 toreceive data and information from the locator 150 and/or send data andinformation to the locator 150, such as data received from acorresponding locator or other electronic computing device, or data sentto a corresponding locator or other electronic computing device. Anassociated locator, such as locator 150 as shown, may include acorresponding wireless data communications module.

In some embodiments, as described subsequently herein, an inductiveclamp device embodiment in accordance with aspects of the disclosure mayinclude an incorporated transmitter module or components and function asa stand-alone signal generation and coupling device when connected to apower source such as a battery pack or other power source. The term“stand-alone signal generation and coupling device” as used hereinrefers to an inductive clamp device configured to generate currentsignals to be provided to hidden or buried utilities to induceelectromagnetic signals onto a conductor(s) which may typically beburied underground or otherwise at least partially hidden from directaccess, without the use of a conventional standalone transmitter device,such as the transmitter module 120 of FIG. 1. This inductive clampdevice may be denoted herein as an integrated inductive clamp or just anintegrated clamp for brevity.

Data communicated between the various locate system devices, such as aninductive clamp device embodiment, locators, transmitters, and/or otherelectronic computing devices or systems may, for example, be informationrelated to inductive clamp device or transmitter or locator operation,such as signal(s) being sent by the inductive clamp device, phase ortiming information of signals generated by or received at the inductiveclamp device, the transmitter, locator, or all of these, output signalpower levels, received signal information provided from the locator,control signals from the locator to control inductive clamp device ortransmitter operation, or vice-versa, other operational information fromthe inductive clamp device(s) or the transmitter(s) or locator(s), andthe like. This data may be processed in one or more processing elementsof the inductive clamp device and/or stored in a memory of the inductiveclamp device and/or sent or received by the inductive clamp device viawired or wireless communication module(s).

For example, in some embodiments, the locator device 150 may include aprocessing module with one or more processing element to control, atleast in part, one or more inductive clamp devices such as the inductiveclamp device 110 directly or through controlling the transmitter module120, or both. A wireless link, wired connection, or a combination of thetwo may be configured to provide communication links and/or devicecontrol functions between the various locate system devices. Theinductive clamp device 110 may include or be coupled to a correspondingprocessor module to effect control functions and/or send or receiveassociated data. For example, powering on/off, attached device control,and frequency selection controls for the inductive clamp device 110 maybe provided, via the wireless link, through the interface on the locatordevice 150. The wireless data communications module may, for example, bea Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, cellular, ISM, or other wireless datacommunications module or system as known or developed in the art.

The inductive clamp device 110 and/or transmitter module 120 and/orlocator device 150 may be equipped with global navigation system (GNS)modules or sensors, such as global positioning system (GPS) receivermodules, GLONASS system modules, Galileo system modules, as well as timesynchronization receivers or modules, cellular or data communicationsmodules, and/or other sensors or modules, such as inertial sensors,environmental condition sensors, or other data sensing or acquisitionsensors or modules. Data from these navigation systems and/or inertialsensors, as well as other sensors and/or devices, may be communicatedvia wired and/or wireless link between the inductive clamp device 110,the transmitter module 120, locator device 150, and/or other systemdevices. GNS system modules may be used to generate precise timesynchronization signaling to be used among the various locate systemdevices as described in, for example, incorporated U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/570,211, entitled PHASE-SYNCHRONIZED BURIEDOBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHODS, filed Aug. 8, 2012.

In some embodiments, a wireless link may also be established betweenother devices within the utility locating system. For instance, theinductive clamp device 110 may also be configured with a communicationsmodule to communicate data or information with a smart paint stickdevice, laptop computer, tablet computer, wireless local area network(WLAN) or wide area network (WAN) module, smart phone or other cellulardevice or system, and/or other electronic computing systems or devicesincorporating processing elements. Examples of modules that may be usedto establish such a wireless link may include, but are not limited to,Bluetooth wireless devices, industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)radio devices, and/or wireless area network (WAN) technologies such asWi-Fi (WLAN) and Wi-Max networks as well as cellular or other datanetworks.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inductive clamp device embodiment 110 maybe include a head assembly 220 embodiment secured about one end of ahandle assembly embodiment 230. The head assembly 220 may furthercontain a base element embodiment 222 and arm elements embodiment 225.The arm elements 225 may be configured to open and close, such as toallow a user to attach the clamp around a utility or a stub coupled tothe utility. For example, the arm elements 225 may be opened as shown inFIG. 3 and may then snap shut upon contact or actuation. In particular,when an inductive clamp device, such as the inductive clamp device 110illustrated in FIG. 3 with arm elements 225 positioned in an open state,is made to contact a utility line, a force 310 may be enacted onto anarm lever section 326 in the arm elements 225 causing the arm elements225 to close about the utility line.

Arm positions may be secured through mechanical, magnetic, or otherposition-securing mechanisms. For example, in an exemplary embodimentone or more magnets, such as the back arm magnets 340 (some of which areobscured in FIG. 3), front arm magnets 450 (illustrated in FIG. 4), andbase element magnets 360 (some of which are obscured in FIG. 3) may beused to provide a force aiding in holding the arm elements open orclosed. For instance, when the arm elements 225 are fully open, theorientation of the base element magnets 360 and the orientation of theback arm magnets 340 closest in proximity thereto may be oriented sothat the polarities of each provide an attracting force to one anotherand aid in holding the arm elements 225 open. When the arm elements 225are in a closed position, the orientation of the base element magnets360 and the orientation of the back arm magnets 340 closest in proximitythereto may be such that the polarities of each provide an attractingforce to one another and aid in holding the arm elements 225 open.

Furthermore, each front arm magnet 450 (FIG. 4) may be oriented suchthat its polarities may provide an attracting force to the other frontarm magnet 450 (FIG. 4) and aid in holding the arm elements closed whenin a closed position. In other embodiments, additional magnets and/orother mechanisms, such as mechanical switches, latches, springs, and thelike may be used to hold arm elements open, closed, and/or positioned instates somewhere in between fully opened and fully closed.

Turning to FIG. 4, additional details of an embodiment of an inductiveclamp device are illustrated. For example, the outer shell components ofthe head assembly 220 may include a top base shell half 410, a bottombase shell half 420, a top arm element shell half 430, and a bottom armelement shell half 440. A female top arm element plate 432 may secure bya screw 435 to an outer portion of one of the top arm element shellhalves 430 and a male top arm element plate 434 may secure by a screw435 to the other one of the top arm element shell halves 430. A femalebottom arm element plate 442 may secure by a screw 435 to an outerportion of one of the bottom arm element shell halves 440 and a malebottom arm element plate 444 may secure by a screw 435 to the other oneof the bottom arm element shell halves 440.

In assembly, the male top arm plate 434 and female top arm plate 432 aswell as the male bottom arm plate 444 and the female bottom arm plate442 may be mated and aid in securing the inductive clamp device 110(FIG. 1) in a closed position. A front arm magnet 450 may be seatedwithin the front on each arm half. The back arm magnets 340 may beseated within pockets formed towards the back of each arm half and thebase element magnets may be seated within pockets formed within the topbase shell halves 410 and bottom base shell halves 420. The variousmagnets may be held in place, for instance, using adhesives, solvents,or other mounting materials and methods.

In assembly, the top base shell half 410 and bottom base shell half 420may be secured together through the use of screws 460. The top arm shellhalf 430 along each side of the head assembly 220 may secure to one ofthe bottom arm shell halves 430 along it's corresponding side throughthe use of solvent welding, other welding techniques, potting, snaps,screws, adhesives, or other methods. For example, the top arm shell half430 located along the right side of the head assembly 220 may secure tothe bottom arm shell half 440 also located on the right side of the headassembly 220. Similarly, the top arm shell half 430 located along theleft side of the head assembly 220 may secure to the bottom arm shellhalf 440 also located on the left side of the head assembly 220. Inother embodiments snaps, screws, or other securing materials and methodsmay be used. In assembly, nubbins formed on an inner section and towardthe rear of each of the top arm shell half 430 and the bottom arm shellhalf 440 may snap into respective divots formed top base shell half 410and bottom base shell half 420 and secure each arm in place. A magneticcore subassembly embodiment 470 may secure within the outer shellcomponents so as to provide magnetic fields for inductive signalcoupling to the targeted utility.

Turning to FIG. 5, details of a magnetic core subassembly embodiment 470are illustrated. The magnetic core subassembly may include a centralsupport piece/component 510, a top central ferrite component 520, abottom central ferrite component 530, and two arm ferrite components540. The top central ferrite component 520 and bottom central ferritecomponent 530 may be seated onto the central support component 510 andsecured thereto by adhesives or tape such as the double-sided highstrength boding tape 550. Foam tape 560 may secure about the outwardfacing sections of the top central ferrite piece 520 and bottom centralferrite component 530 to provide cushioning to their respective ferritepieces/components and aid in securing the central portion of themagnetic core subassembly 470 within the base element (as shown in FIG.2) of the head assembly. Wire windings 570 may be located about the topcentral ferrite component 520 and bottom central ferrite component 530,and may be Litz wire to reduce high frequency losses in use, or otherwire types or alternate conductors. The ferrite arm components 540 mayalso secure within respective arm elements 225 (FIG. 2) and be held inplace through the aid of adhesives or tape such as the double-sided highstrength boding tape 580.

Turning to FIG. 6, details of an embodiment 230 of a handle assembly areillustrated. Handle assembly embodiment 230 may include a core handlecomponent 610, which may be largely cylindrical, a utility selectorelement 620, and a locking sleeve 630. A cable jack 640 may be seatedwithin a narrow back section of the core handle component 610 andsecured thereto by nut 645 attached on the rear-facing side of the corehandle component 610. A spring 650 and the locking sleeve 630 may beseated, and may mount snugly within the utility selector piece 620 aswell as a locking sleeve gasket 660. A series of screws 665 may securethe locking sleeve locking sleeve 630 and locking sleeve gasket 660 toscrew mounting posts 612 formed on the core handle piece 610 so as totrap the spring 650 between the utility selector element 620 and thelocking sleeve 630.

A series of core handle piece keying features 614 formed on the corehandle component 610 may key to grooves (not illustrated) within theinner forward-facing section of the utility selector element 620 inassembly so as to prevent unwanted rotations of the utility selectorelement 620 to retain it in a selected position once that position isselected by a user. In assembly, tension may be provided to the utilityselector element 620 by the spring 650 so as to hold the utilityselector element 620 to the core handle component 610. Wanted rotationsof the utility selector element 620 may be occur when a force alongbackwards direction 670 is applied to the utility selector element 620sufficient to overcome tension provided by the spring 650 and allow theutility selector element 620 to clear the core handle piece keyingfeatures 614 formed on the core handle component 610.

In operation, the utility selector element is actuated by a user to adesired setting, which may be a utility type (e.g., gas, water,electric, sewer, etc.) or other parameter. When rotations of the utilityselector element 620 occur upon user actuation, one or more magnets,such as the magnets 680 secured within the utility selector piece 620may rotate. Magnetic sensors (not illustrated) within the handleassembly 230 may be used to detect the position and subsequent change ofposition due to rotations of the utility selector piece 620 and attachedmagnets 680. The detected position of the magnets 680 may be used toselect a utility type, device mode, or other selection and generate acorresponding output signal or provide a corresponding state indicationor data. In handle assembly 230, a utility type 622 may be indicatedupon the utility selector element 620 such as through use of text,color, symbols, etc. An arrow indicator 616 on the core handle component610 may align utility types 622 to allow a user to designate utility,frequency selection, and/or selection or other system modes orparameters. Electronic circuitry may be included in the inductive clampdevice to sense and generate a signal or data corresponding to a userselected utility type of other parameter. This information may be storedin a memory, transmitter, and/or associated with other data as generatedwithin or received by the inductive clamp device.

In some embodiments, colors and iconography commonly used in theindustry used to notate the various utility types may be used on theinductive clamp. In some embodiments, an off mode may be selectedthrough the utility selector to power on or off the inductive clampdevice. An end piece 690 and O-ring 695 may seat on the forward-facingend of the handle assembly 230. The end piece 690 may be formed with acentral opening so as to allow wiring 710 (illustrated in FIG. 7) topass through and connect the cable jack 640 and/or internal PCBs (notillustrated) and/or other sensors/circuitry (not illustrated) to thewire windings 570 illustrated in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, magnetic shielding may partially or fully beincorporated into the core handle piece 610. A keyed lip feature 618formed on the core handle piece 610 nearest the end piece 690 and O-ring695 may function, in assembly, to key and hold in place the handleassembly 230 to the head assembly 220 (FIG. 2). The locking sleeve 630may internal contain threads 632 designated to mate with threads on anyconnecting cable and secure said cable thereto.

Turning to FIG. 7, details of wiring 710 is shown connecting the cablejack 640 to the wire windings 570 for providing current to the windingsto generate magnetic fields for coupling to a utility. In someembodiments, a PCB or other circuitry may be included between the cablejack 640 and the wire windings 570. This circuitry may include varioussensors and other electronic components. These sensors and/or othercomponent may include, but are not limited to, global navigation systems(GNS) sensors/modules such as global position system (GPS) receivermodules, accelerometers, compass sensors, gyroscopic sensors, otherinertial/position sensors, geophones, magnetic sensors, gas sensors,temperature sensors, environmental condition sensors, sondes and/orother sensors or input devices. For example, other sensors and/or inputdevices may include cameras, IR sensors, and/or other visual sensors, IRsensors, ultraviolet sensors, and/or acoustic sensors such as amicrophone or other sound or vibrational sensors.

In operation, incorporated or coupled GNS or GPS sensors and/or otherinertial sensors and/or sondes may be used, for example, to determineinductive clamp device position and orientation in relation to a locatorand/or other locate system devices and/or to provide absolute coordinateinformation or for generation of time synchronization signals or phasesynchronization signals. Gas sensors may, for example, be used fordetecting potentially hazardous gas leaks and subsequently alert a userif such a leak is detected. Acoustic sensors may, for example, be foracoustic leak detection or detecting vibration.

Camera and/or other imaging or light sensors may be used to capturevideo or images of how an inductive clamp device is connected to autility line, such as through a captured image that is stored in amemory of the inductive clamp for later retrieval. The captured imagemay be associated with particular transmitter or clamp output parametersor other data or information associated with locate system operation. Amicrophone may be used for detecting voice commands from a user andsubsequently controlling various aspects of the inductive clamp device,such as through automatic frequency or utility type selection, or forrecording user information associated with the locate operation.

Magnetic sensor(s) may, for example, be used to measure magnetic outputfield produced by the inductive clamp device in use and storecorresponding data in memory or send it to other locate system devices.The measured output of the clamp may further be used to feedback dataregarding output power of the inductive clamp device to other devices orsystem or to store the data in memory and/or to determine if the clampis fully closed or not. In some embodiments, a series of additionalO-rings and/or other seals may be included to allow various embodimentsof an inductive clamp device to be fully or partially submersiblewithout damaging internal components that may otherwise be damaged bymoisture or fluid ingress.

Turning to FIG. 8, additional details of an inductive clamp deviceembodiment are shown. For example, some inductive clamp deviceembodiments in accordance with aspects of the disclosure may include avariety of indicators, controls, and/or other features. The inductiveclamp device 800 may, for example, include an on/off button 810, agraphical display 820, a LED indicator 830, a microphone 840, a camera850, an accessory port 860, and/or an audio output element such as aspeaker/buzzer 870 or other audio output element.

The on/off button 810 may be used for powering the inductive clampdevice 800 on and/or off. The graphical display 820 and/or LED indicator830 may provide a display to notify the user of pertinent system and/orlocate and/or other information or data, such as, for example, a stateof the utility selector element or other data or information. Thegraphical display 820 may be an LCD display or other visual displayelement as known or developed in the art. When coupled with controls(not illustrated), a graphical display, such as the graphical display820, may be used for inductive clamp device control and may includetouch-screen functionality to allow direct display contact for control.

The LED indicator 830 may be a daylight readable LED and may be used,for example, to provide a user with a visual indicator that theinductive clamp device arms are properly closed about a utility orutility stub or coupled conductor. The microphone 840 may be configured,for example, to sense acoustic leak detection and/or detecting vibrationand/or receive voice commands, with the inductive clamp processing thesecommands or inputs in one or more processing elements. The camera 850may be used to document how the inductive clamp device 800 has beenconnected to a utility line and/or other visual data/information bycapturing and storing images or video. The camera 850 may be a visuallight camera, an IR camera, a UV camera, or other camera type, and maybe configured with a variety of different lenses and filters.

The accessory port 860 may be used for connecting other clamps, clips,and/or other devices. Further details and illustrations of additionalclamps and clips being connected through an inductive clamp deviceembodiment with a similar accessory port are shown and described inconjunction with FIG. 13 subsequently herein. In some embodiments, aninductive clamp device embodiment may include multiple ports. Other porttypes may be used besides what is illustrated herein. For example, andaccessory port may be configured for data connections and may be a mini,micro, or standard USB port or other ports designed for data and/orpower management. In some embodiments with USB ports, such an inductiveclamp device may be configured for communicating data to a connect USBthumb stick or external hard drive for purposes of data logging or datatransfer.

The speaker/buzzer 870 may be configured to provide a user of audibleindicators. Such audible indicators may include, but are not limited to,alerts designed to indicate incorrect clamp position, detection of apossible gas leak when the inductive clamp device is configured with gassensors, or to communicate other system/device information/data to theuser Some inductive clamp device embodiments may be configured with amechanical coupling or extension connection to secure to a hot stick(not illustrated) or other extension arm allowing a user to reach suchan inductive clamp device into area which may otherwise be difficult orunsafe to access such as submerged utilities or high voltage lines. Insuch embodiments, the inductive clamp device may be configured to openand close as well as control other device features remotely, such asthrough a wired or wireless remote control device or module, or via acellular phone, WiFi device, or other wired or wireless connection. Suchremote control configurations may include the use of wirelesscommunication technologies, a cable or rope and pulley system (notillustrated), and/or other technologies for remotely controlling such aninductive clamp device.

Turning to FIGS. 9-11A, another inductive clamp device embodiment 900,in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, is illustrated.Inductive clamp embodiment 900 may be configured to operate without aconnected transmitter device, also referred to hereafter as astand-alone signal generating and coupling device or integratedinductive clamp or just integrated clamp for brevity. This may beimplemented by incorporating a transmitter module within the inductiveclaim or closely coupling a transmitter module, in whole or in part, tothe inductive clamp element.

The inductive clamp device embodiment 900 may be powered by an externalpower source such as a battery 910 coupled to a battery terminal 920 andconnected to the inductive clamp device 900 via cord 930, or via otherpowering methods such as an integrated high density battery or otherpower supply. A ground stake 940 may secure to the battery terminalhousing to be used in embodiments wherein direct coupling to the utilityis done. In other embodiments, grounding may be provided by capacitivefooting and/or other grounding methods connected directly or indirectlyto the inductive clamp device.

The inductive clamp device 900 and/or battery terminal 920 may beconfigured with transmitter modules or components to generate signal forinducing onto utility line or other conductor. Transmitter componentsmay be the same as or similar to the various transmitter components asdescribed in the incorporated applications, or may be the same as orsimilar to other transmitter components as known or developed in theart. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 910 may be an intelligentbattery configured the same as or similarly to those disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/532,721 entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS filed Jun. 25, 2012, the content ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

A direct connect clip 950 may connect via an accessory port 955 in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 9. Other clamps/clips, accessories,and/or grounding apparatuses may be connected and configured to functionthrough the accessory port 955. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, thebattery terminal 920 may be made to secure via connector 1010, which maybe a strap or clip or other connector used to the inductive clamp device900 for storage and/or during use of the inductive clamp device 900. Thebattery terminal 920 may be configured with one or more of the sensorsand/or indicators and/or other technology discussed previously herein inconnection with FIGS. 7 and 8. For instance, the battery terminal 920may be configured with one or more GNS or GPS sensors and/or otherinertial sensors and/or daylight readable LEDs. When in use, theinductive clamp device 900 may couple to a utility, such as the utilityline 1110 in FIG. 11A. Further illustrated in FIG. 11A, a ground stake,such as the ground stake 1120, may connect to the battery terminal 920to provide grounding to the device. Such grounding may only be necessarywhen the device is used in a direct connect mode. In other embodiments,a capacitive footing and/or other grounding methods may be used togrounding to the device. Such grounding may also be connected to aninductive clamp device rather than, or in addition to, such a batteryterminal.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, a locating system embodiment in accordancewith aspects of the disclosure may include one or more inductive clampdevices configured as stand-alone signal generation and coupling devicesand/or one or more inductive clamp devices configured to function withthe use of a transmitter device, such as the transmitter device 1130.The transmitter device 1130 may be coupled to utility lines 1140 and1150 through the inductive clamp devices 1160. The transmitter device1130 may further be connected to a ground stake 1170. Signal may begenerated by the inductive clamp device 900 configured as stand-alonesignal generation and coupling device and the transmitter device 1130and induced onto their respectively coupled utility lines 1110, 1140,and 1150.

These signal may be all the same frequency or different on each utilityline. The one or more frequencies may be multiplexed in time and/orfrequency which may allow a user 1180 equipped with a locator device1190 to effectively locate and identify each utility line 1110, 1140,and 1150. Example multiplexing schemes as may be used in variousembodiments are described subsequently herein as well as co-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/570,211, entitled PHASE-SYNCHRONIZEDBURIED OBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHODS, filed Aug. 8,2012, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Turning to FIG. 11B, details of an embodiment of a process for by whichdata/information may be exchanged, processed, and or communicated tousers within a locating system such as the locating system presented inFIG. 11A are illustrated. The various inspection system devicesincluding, but not limited to, one or more inductive clamp device(s)configured as stand-alone signal generation and coupling device(s) 1191,other system devices 1192 (base stations, laptop computers, smartphones, etc.), one or more locator devices 1193, and one or moreinductive clamp device(s) connected a utility or utilities 1194 andconnected to a transmitter element 1195 via cord, cable, and/or otherphysical tethering used for data exchange may communicate pertinentlocate, environmental, and/or other systems information/data to aprocessing element 1196.

This communication may be done by modules implementing various wirelesstechnologies as described herein, such as WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular,ISM, etc. The processing element 1196 may, in some embodiments, residewithin a locator device such as the locator device 1193. In otherembodiments, processing may be shared through any or all of the variousaforementioned system devices and elements (i.e. devices/elements1191-1195) configured for processing data. The processing element 1197may determine refined location(s) of target utility/utilities and/orother locate, environmental, and/or system information/data, and thisdata may be stored, transmitted, etc. This processed/updatedinformation/data 1197 may further be communicated back to one or moresystem devices/elements, such as the system devices/elements 1191-1195,for purposes which may include displaying, recording, and/or utilitymapping purposes 1198.

Turning to FIG. 12, another inductive clamp device embodiment 1200 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated.Embodiment 1200 may be used to induce signal onto a utility line orother conductor when the arms of the inductive clamp device are open andthe device is rested on or near the utility, referred to hereafter as“open induction mode.” The inductive clamp device 1200 with arms 1210positioned in open induction mode above utility 1220 to induce signalonto the utility 1220. The inductive clamp device 1200 may be connectedto a transmitter device (not illustrated) and/or may be configured tofunction as a stand-alone signal generation and coupling device.Furthermore, grounding (not illustrated) may be provided to theinductive clamp device 1200 through a connected transmitter (notillustrated) or ground stake (not illustrated) and/or other groundingmethod.

Turning to FIG. 13, some inductive clamp device embodiments, such as theinductive clamp device embodiment 1300 with arms 1310 positioned in openinduction mode above utility 1320 or optionally closed (not illustrated)to induce signal onto the utility 1320, may further be configured toattach other accessory devices. For example, coupled to a separateutility line 1330, a direct connect clip 1340 may be connected to theinductive clamp device 1300 through accessory port 1350 via cord 1360.In such uses, the inductive clamp device 1310 and direct connect clip1340 may be configured to induce frequency onto their respective coupledutility lines 1320 and 1330. The signals may all be the same frequencyor be different frequencies on each utility line. These may bemultiplexed in time and/or frequency as discussed in subsequent sectionsherein. A grounding connection may be established in such use as thatillustrated in FIG. 13. The grounding connection may, for instance, beestablished through cord 1370.

Turning to FIGS. 14A-14C, an inductive clamp device embodiment 1400 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure may be configured foruse with multiple interchangeable arms and/or clamping heads and/orreplaceable magnetic core pieces/components. The inductive clamp device1400, for example, may include a set of small arms 1410. The small arms1410 may be configured to dislodge from the body of the inductive clampdevice 1400 when overstressed or when a force, such as a force alongdirection lines 1415 and/or 1420 is applied by a user. Arms of differentsizes, shapes, materials, and/or containing different geometries ofmagnetic core pieces may replace the small arms 1410. For example, largearms 1430 may be snapped into place by a user by applying force to thelarge arms 1430 along directions 1435 and 1440 respectively.

In some embodiments, the magnetic core pieces/components within the armsand/or body of an inductive clamp device may also be replaceable by auser. As best illustrated in the side by side comparison of FIG. 14C, avariety of different interchangeable arms may be used. In FIG. 14C, thesame inductive clamp device 1400 is fitted with three different sizedarms, small arms 1410, large arms 1430, and extra large arms 1450. Othersized arms configured in other and/or using other geometries may also beused.

Turning to FIG. 15, an inductive clamp device embodiment 1510 maycomprise a head assembly embodiment 1520 secured about one end of ahandle assembly embodiment 1530. The head assembly 1520 may furtherinclude a base element 1522 with a knob mechanism 1524 configured toopen and close the arm elements 1526. The knob mechanism 1524 mayprovide tension to the arm elements 1526, allowing the inductive clampdevice 1510 to remain in place when attached to a utility or positionedin open induction mode or in some position in between the two. In otherembodiments, additional magnets and/or other attachment/retentionmechanisms may be used to hold arm elements open, closed, and/orpositioned in states somewhere in between fully opened and fully closed.

A magnetic core subassembly 1540, which is partially obscured in FIG.15, may slightly protrude from within the ends of the arm elements 1526such that when the inductive clamp device 1510 is closed, gappingbetween components of the magnetic core assembly 1540 may besubstantially eliminated or reduces to the smallest extent possible.Details of the magnetic core subassembly embodiment are shown in furtherdetail in connection with FIG. 17 and described subsequently herein

Turning to FIG. 16, the outer shell components of the head assembly 1520may be comprised of a top base shell half 1610, a bottom base shell half1620, a series of back arm shell halves 1630, a series of front armshell halves 1640, a central base piece 1650, a top knob piece 1660, anda bottom knob piece 1670. The shell outer components may conceal, atleast in part, the magnetic core subassembly 1540. In assembly, thecentral base piece 1650 may be seated between the top base shell half1610 and bottom base shell half 1620 such that a series of rear prongfeatures 1652 (one of which is obscured in FIG. 16) formed towards arear section on the central base piece 1650 which may respectivelyextend through a top base gap 1612 formed through the top base shellhalf 1610 and a bottom base gap 1622 formed through the bottom baseshell half 1620.

A central portion of the magnetic core subassembly 1540 may be seatedwithin and secured to the central base piece 1650 in assembly. A seriesof screws 1680 may secure the top base shell half 1610 and bottom baseshell half 1620 together. The rear prong features 1652 of the centralbase piece 1650 extending through the top base gap 1612 and bottom basegap 1622 may further extend and seat within a spiral guide feature 1662formed on the inner surface of the top knob piece 1660 as well as asimilar spiral guide feature (not shown) formed on the inner surface ofthe bottom knob piece 1670. The top knob piece 1660 and bottom knobpiece 1670 may key together via a central axis piece 1690 such that whenthe top knob piece 1660 is made to rotate the bottom knob piece 1670 mayalso rotate and vice versa. The central axis piece 1690 may fit througha top central hole feature 1614 through the top base shell half 1610 anda bottom central hole feature 1624 formed through the bottom base shellhalf 1620 prior to keying centrally to the top knob piece 1660 andbottom knob piece 1670 respectively.

A set of screws 1692 may secure the top knob piece 1660 and bottom knobpiece 1670 to the central axis piece 1690. When the top knob piece 1660and/or bottom knob piece 1670 is rotated, the rear prong features 1652may be made to move back and forth along the on the top base gap 1612and bottom base gap 1622 due to the spiral guide feature 1662 formed onthe inner surface of the top knob piece 1660 as well as a similar spiralguide feature (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the bottom knobpiece 1670, thus causing the central base piece 1650 to move back andforth.

A series of arm prong features 1632 formed on the back arm shell halves1630 may snap into a series of top shell front prong retainer features1616 and bottom shell front prong retainer features 1626 formed onto thetop base shell half 1610 and a bottom base shell half 1620 respectively.A set of arm sliding grooves 1634 formed through the back arm shellhalves 1630 may also snap onto front prong features 1654 formed on thecentral base piece 1650. The arm sliding grooves 1634 may be formed suchthat the front prong features 1654 formed on the central base piece 1650may slide within during opening/closing of the arm elements 1526 (FIG.15). The front arm shell halves 1640 may each secure to their respectiveback arm shell half 1630 via screws 1694 enclosing arm components of themagnetic core assembly 1540 within. In use, movement of the central basepiece 1650 due to rotations of the top knob piece 1660 and/or bottomknob piece 1670 may cause opening/closing of the connected arm elements1526 (FIG. 15) components such as the back arm shell halves 1630, frontarm shell halves 1640, and enclosed arm components of the magnetic coreassembly 1540 to open and close.

Turning to FIG. 17A, the magnetic core subassembly 1540 may be comprisedof a central support piece/element 1710 with a central ferritepiece/component 1720 secured thereto. The central support piece 1710 andconnected central ferrite piece 1720 may further secure to the centralbase piece/element 1650 (as shown in FIG. 16) via screws 1712. Wirewindings 1722 may be located about the central ferrite piece 1720 whichmay be litz wire to reduce high frequency losses in use. A series of armferrite pieces 1730 may stack in a geometry on either side of thecentral ferrite piece 1720 such that gaps between the various magneticcore pieces may be effectively eliminated to the extent possibleregardless of the degree to which the arm elements 1526 (as shown inFIG. 15) may be open or closed.

Tape segments, such as the tape segments 1740 or 1750, may be positionedabout the central ferrite piece 1720 and various arm ferrite pieces 1730so as to provide cushioning as well as hold the central ferrite piece1720 and various arm ferrite pieces 1730 in place. In other embodiments,other magnetic core piece geometries may be used. Furthermore, wirewindings may be located on the various magnetic core pieces containedwithin the arms instead of or in addition to wire windings located oncentrally positioned magnetic core pieces.

Turning to FIG. 17B, in the various inductive clamp device embodiments,wire windings, such as the wire windings 1722 of FIG. 17A, may be partof circuitry for inducing one or more signals onto a target utility byelectrically coupling current through the inductive clamp device. Suchcircuitry may include, but is not limited to, the use of a passiveparallel crossover or simple divider network 1775 illustrated in FIG.17B. In further embodiments, such circuitry may be a circuit that usesseparate inductors to produce one or more high Q resonant circuits.Other configurations of circuitry may further be used in variousinductive clamp device embodiments to generate current signals, such asat one or more resonant frequencies, to corresponding produce magneticfields for coupling to the targeted utilities.

Turning to FIG. 18, the handle assembly embodiment 1530 may be comprisedof a largely substantially cylindrical core handle piece or element1810, a utility selector element 1820, and a locking sleeve 1830. Acable jack 1840 may be seated within a narrow back section of the corehandle piece 1810 and secure thereto by threads 1845 on the cable jack1840 mating to threads (not illustrated) within the locking sleeve 1830.The locking sleeve 1830 may also be formed with external threads 1835configured to mate with threads on any connecting cable and secure saidcable thereto.

A spring 1850, a locking sleeve plug piece 1860, a grommet 1865, and thelocking sleeve 1830 may be seated and mount snugly within the end of theutility selector piece 1820. A series of core handle piece keyingfeatures 1814 formed on the core handle piece 1810 may key to grooves(not illustrated) within the inner forward-facing section of the utilityselector element 1820 in assembly so as to prevent unwanted rotations ofthe utility selector element 1820. In assembly, tension may be providedto the utility selector element 1820 by the spring 1850 so as to holdthe utility selector element 1820 to the core handle piece 1810. Desiredrotations of the utility selector element 1820 (e.g., through userinteraction with the device) may occur when a force along backwardsdirection 1870 is applied to the utility selector element 1820sufficient to overcome tension provided by the spring 1850 and allow theutility selector piece 1820 to clear the core handle piece keyingfeatures 1814.

When rotations of the utility selector element 1820 occur, one or moremagnets (not illustrated) secured within the utility selector element1820 may also be made to rotate with the utility selector piece 1820.Magnetic sensors, which may be disposed on the PCB 1880, may be used todetect the position and subsequent changes of position due to rotationsof the utility selector element 620 and attached magnets. The detectedposition of the magnets may be used to select a utility type, devicemode, or other selection and may be used to generate corresponding dataor output signals from the utility selector element or associatedelectronic circuitry.

In handle assembly 1530, utility types 1822 may be indicated upon theutility selector element 1820. An arrow indicator 1816 on the corehandle piece 1810 may align utility types 1822 to allow a user todesignate utility, frequency selection, and/or selection or other systemmode. In some embodiments, colors and iconography commonly used in theindustry used to notate the various utility types may be used. In someembodiments, an off mode may be selected through the utility selector topower off the inductive clamp device. A keying lip feature 1818 formedon the clamp facing end of the core handle piece 1810 may function, inassembly, to key and hold in place the handle assembly 1530 to the headassembly 1520 (best illustrate in FIG. 19).

Turning to FIG. 19, wiring 1910 is shown connecting the cable jack 1840,PCB 1880, and wire windings 1722. The PCB 1880 may include or be coupledto a variety of sensors and other elements. These sensors and/or otherelements may include, but are not limited to, global navigation systems(GNS) sensors such as global position system (GPS) sensors,accelerometers, compass sensors, gyroscopic sensors, otherinertial/position sensors, geophones, magnetic sensors, gas sensors,and/or sondes. Other sensors and/or apparatuses within the variousembodiments of an inductive clamp device may include cameras, IRsensors, and/or other visual sensors and/or acoustic sensors such as amicrophone.

In use, the GNS or GPS sensors and/or other inertial sensors and/orsonde may be used, for instance, to determine inductive clamp deviceposition and orientation in relation to a locator and/or other systemdevices. Gas sensors may be used for detecting potentially hazardous gasleaks and subsequently alert a user if such a leak is detected. Acousticsensors may, for instance, be for acoustic leak detection or detectingvibration. The camera and/or other imaging sensors may be used todocument how an inductive clamp device is connected to a utility line.The microphone may be used for detecting voice commands from a user andsubsequently controlling various aspects of the inductive clamp device.Magnetic sensor(s) may, for instance, be utilized to measure magneticoutput field produced by the inductive clamp device in use.

A measured power output of the inductive clamp may further be used tofeedback the specific output power of the inductive clamp device and/ordetermine if the clamp is fully closed or not. Output power, frequency,phase, voltage, current, and the like may be stored in a memory of theinductive clamp and/or may be transmitted to other locate systemdevices. In some embodiments, magnetic shielding may partially or fullybe incorporated into the core handle piece 1810 to prevent internalcircuitry/sensors from potentially generating signal that may interferewith inductive clamp device signals.

Some sensors, circuitry, and/or other elements previously describedherein may reside outside any magnetic shielding and/or external to theinductive clamp device itself. For example, some such sensors,circuitry, and/or other elements may be configured within an externalbattery terminal or other attached accessory device, or other locatesystem device. In some embodiments, a series of additional O-ringsand/or other seals may be used to allow various embodiments of aninductive clamp device to be fully or partially submersible withoutdamaging internal components that may otherwise be damaged by moisture.

Various multiplexing schemes, such as the multiplexing processes andmethods described subsequently with respect to FIGS. 20A to 20F, may beused in various embodiments and applications of an inductive clampdevice system. The illustrated multiplexing methods correspond to outputsignal time slots and/or frequencies across one or more inductive clampembodiments. For example, the signals represented in FIGS. 20A-20F mayoriginate from a transmitter device through which an inductive clampdevice may be connected or through an inductive clamp device embodimentsconfigured to function as a stand-alone signal generation and couplingdevice/integrated inductive clamp.

A locator device that is time synchronized with such an inductive clampdevice coupled to and multiplexing different frequencies throughmultiple utility lines simultaneously and/or at varied time intervalsmay be configured to identify and determine the positions and/or otherinformation of each utility line either in an absolute sense or withrespect to the corresponding clamp device. Various time synchronizationmethods may be used including, but not limited to, the use of GPS orother GNS sensors with precise timing and/or other ways to synchronizetiming of all system devices, or through use of other timing systems,such as dedicated time synchronization systems or systems provided timeinformation as one output type. Description of example apparatus andmethods that may be used in various embodiments for providing timesynchronization between locators, transmitters, inductive clamp devices,and/or other system devices are described in the incorporatedapplications, including, for example, co-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/570,211, entitled PHASE-SYNCHRONIZED BURIEDOBJECT LOCATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHODS, filed Aug. 8, 2012, whichis incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 20A to 20F illustrate various example transmitted signalembodiments. It is noted that the signals shown in FIGS. 20A to 20F areprovided for purposes of explanation, not limitation, and that variousother signal sequences and timing may be used in various embodiments.FIG. 20A illustrates exemplary signal sequences where inductive clampdevices in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may, atthree utilities or other conductors, simultaneously send output currentsignals, which may result in generation of corresponding magneticfields, at three frequencies. The signals in FIGS. 20A-20F may originatefrom a transmitter device through which an inductive clamp device may beconnected, or through one or more inductive clamp device embodimentsconfigured to function as a stand-alone signal generation and couplingdevice/integrated inductive coupling device. In FIG. 20A, as well asFIGS. 20B-20F, output signals are divided into slots of equal timeduration, although the slots need not be equal in time in someembodiments. In an exemplary embodiment the time slots are at leastpartially non-overlapping, however, in other embodiments two or moreslots may overlap.

In some embodiments, the duration of this time slot may allow for acomplete phase of each used frequency. A clamp 1, for instance,connected to a first utility line may be used to induce a frequency 1 inslot 1 of sequence 2010A, a clamp 2 connected to a second utility linemay be used to induce a frequency 2 in slot 1 of sequence 2020A, and aclamp 3 connected to a third utility line may be used to induce afrequency 3 in slot 1 of sequence 2030A. In FIG. 20A, a switching offrequencies 1, 2, and 3 may occur in successive time slots whereby eachfrequency is used in each sequence for each clamp as shown.

In an exemplary embodiment, the various frequencies may include, but arenot limited to, 810 kHz, 8,910 kHz, 80,190 kHz, 400,950 kHz, and 481,140kHz. In some embodiments it may be desirable to maintain complete phaseof each signal at the different frequencies in successive slots. Thismay be advantageous for a locator operation with respect to inputfiltering or other signal processing. For example, the time frame ofeach transmitted signal may include, but is not limited to, 1/60 of asecond, 1/50 of a second, 1/25 of a second, or 1/30 of a second tomaintain a complete power line frequency phase of the aforementionedexemplary frequencies. Other switching time frames which may allow for acomplete phase of each used frequency may be dependent upon the selectedfrequencies. Furthermore, the number of frequencies used may not bedependent upon the number of clamps and/or other attached signalinducing devices coupled to utility lines. In various embodiments, oneor more frequencies may be cycled through one or more clamps and/orother attached signal inducing devices.

FIG. 20B illustrates details of another embodiment of a signalingsequence using a single frequency. Signals may be sent at differentfrequencies simultaneously (as shown in FIG. 20A) and/or signals may beturned off in all but one utility during a given time slot. For example,2010B illustrates a sequence of transmission of frequency 1 from clamp 1in slot 1, with output then off for the next two slots and then repeatedin slot 4. The transmission of frequency 1 may occur in time slot 2 insequence 2020B and time slot 3 in sequence 2030B. FIG. 20C illustratesanother embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 20B, but using twofrequencies, rather than one. In this case, sequences 2010C, 2020C, and2030C each send frequency 1 and frequency 2, with off slots in betweenas shown.

Turning to FIG. 20D, four frequencies are shown used in sequences 2010D,2020D, and 2030D. It is further noted that, while the sequences shownherein are illustrated as being periodic, they need not be. For example,a predefined pseudo-random sequence may be used, in which case, thesequence is preferable known or communicated to a corresponding locatoror other communicatively coupled device. An example of such as sequenceis shown in FIG. 20E, where each of sequences 2010E, 2020E, and 2030Emay be selected, in time and/or frequency, based on some periodic ornon-periodic sequence, such as a pseudo-random sequence. Othersequences, such as sequences using more slots of a particular frequency,dynamically determined frequencies, or other variations may also be usedin some embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 20F, a transition window, such as transition window2040, may be used between time slots, such as between slots in sequences2010F, 2020F, and 2030F as shown. The transition window 2040 may be usedto allow for the ramping up of and/or down of current within thetransmitter device in preparation of switching frequencies in eachsequence.

Turning to FIG. 20G, the various inductive clamp devices, such as theinductive clamp device 2010G, inductive clamp device 2020G, andinductive clamp device 2030G may be configured to generate and/or couplemultiple frequencies simultaneously. The frequencies illustrated in FIG.20G may further be multiplexed in time and/or frequency in someembodiments. Circuitry such as the simple divider network 1775illustrated in FIG. 17B may be used to generate multiple simultaneousfrequencies at each inductive clamp device.

FIG. 21 illustrates details 2100 of one embodiment of multi-frequencyoutput signal waveform generation. In this example embodiment, signalsat three frequencies, denoted as 2110A, 2110B, and 2110C are generated,such as in a processing element in the form of a digital signalprocessor (DSP) or other processing device and converted from digital toanalog form in an analog-to-digital converter (A/D). Two or more of theresulting signals at different frequencies may then be added together toform combined signal 2012, and may then be further processed, such asvia amplification, filtering, and the like, before being provided to anoutput current clamp which may be an inductive clamp device in keepingwith the present disclosure, a direct connect clip, and/or other signalcoupling apparatus(es).

In some embodiments, multiple output current signals may be provided.Generation of output current signals as shown in FIG. 21, with multiplefrequency signals combined to generate a single output current signal,may be used. Further, in embodiments of transmitter elements withmultiple outputs, different combinations of output frequency signals maybe provided on different output. For example, a first output may includethe set of three frequencies as shown in FIG. 21, wherein as a secondoutput may include a set of three different frequencies.

Turning to FIGS. 22 and 23, details of another embodiment 2210 of aninductive clamp device 2210 are illustrated. Embodiment 2100 may includean arm and base assembly embodiment 2220 secured about one end of ahandle assembly embodiment 2230. The arm and base assembly 2220 mayinclude a pair of arm elements 2240 that may seat within the end of thehandle assembly 2230 and further be configured to open and close so asto circumscribe objects such as a pipe or other conduit in use. Each armelement 2240 may also include a grip feature 2242. In use, each armelement 2240 may be held at its grip feature 2242 so as to open and/orclose the inductive clamp device 2210. The arm and base assembly 2220may further include of a set of center rack pieces or components 2250located centrally between each arm element 2240.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, each arm element 2240 may be formed with apair of pinion gear features 2342 configured to mate with a series ofinner rack gear features 2352 (best illustrated in FIG. 24B) on thecenter rack pieces 2250. When the arm elements 2240 are opened, therotation of the pinion gear features 2342 against the inner rack gearfeatures 2352 forces the center base pieces 2250 forward to providecontact actuation. Likewise, when applied to a pipe or other object, thecenter rack pieces 2250 may be forced backwards, causing the armelements 2240 to both close. The pinion gear features 2342 and innerrack gear features 2352 may ensure that the arm elements 2240 openand/or close substantially simultaneously.

Turning to FIG. 24A, the handle assembly embodiment 2230 may include twohandle shell halves 2430. A pair of dampening gear retainers 2410 mayseat within the front section of each handle shell half 2430, onto whicha dampening gear 2415 may further be seated. The dampening gear 2415 maymate with an outer rack gear feature 2452 (as shown in FIG. 24B) formedon the center rack pieces 2250 and dampen movement of the center rackpieces 2250 during opening and/or closing actuation of the inductiveclap device 2210.

In assembly, the handle shell halves 2430 may secure together via rearscrews 2420 and nuts 2422 as well as a series of front screws 2424 thatmay further secure to three posts 2426 positioned between the shellhalves 2430. The front most post 2426 of the three may pass through ahorizontal opening centrally located on each center rack pieces 2250 soas to permit the center rack pieces 2250 while also securing the centerrack pieces 2250 within the inductive clamp device 2210. The individualcenter rack pieces 2250 may further secure together via screws 2450 suchthat in assembly one center rack piece 2250 may be positioned on eitherside of a base piece assembly 2460.

A magnet 2470 may seat within each of the center rack pieces 2250. Amagnet 2480 with oppositely oriented polarity to that of magnet 2470 mayalso seated within either side of the back of the base piece assembly2460 such that when the arm elements 2240 are closed, magnets 2470 and2480 may attract and hold the arm elements 2240 closed. A wiringconnector 2490 may secure to the back of the handle assembly 2230.Wiring 2495 may provide electrical connection from the wiring connector2490 to windings 2515 (as shown in FIG. 25) about a magnetic core basepiece 2510 (as shown in FIG. 25).

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the base piece assembly 2460 may comprise twobase piece shell halves 2560 that may secure together via screws 2562and nuts 2564. When assembled, the base piece assembly 2460 may securethe magnetic core base piece/component 2510 and windings 2515 within.Within each arm element 2240, a magnetic core retainer piece 2542 may besituated with a pair of magnetic core arm pieces 2454 seated on eitherside of magnetic core retainer piece 2542. Windings 2515 may be Litzwire to reduce high frequency losses in use. The magnetic arm pieces2454 may stack in a geometric configuration on either side of themagnetic core base piece 2510 such that gaps between the variousmagnetic core pieces may be substantially eliminated to the extentpossible, regardless of the degree to which the arm elements 2240 areopened or closed.

Each arm element 2240 may further include a pair of arm shell halves2546 that, when assembled, may contain the magnetic core retainer piece2542 and magnetic core arm pieces 2454 within and secure together viascrews 2548. Each magnetic core arm piece 2454 in each arm element 2240may partially overlap a portion of the magnetic core base piece 2510.The magnetic core base piece 2510 and magnetic core arm pieces 2454 maycomprise ferrite or other conductive material. A linear dampeningmechanism 2550 may be seated partially within the end of each magneticcore retainer piece 2510 and secure thereto with nut 2552. In use, thelinear dampening mechanisms 2550 may dampen impact between the armelements 2240 when closing.

Returning to FIG. 24, each handle shell half 2430 may be formed with twohandle keying features 2432 configured to mate with arm keying features2442 formed on the arm elements 2240, thus securing the arm elements2240 to the handle assembly 2230 in assembly. The arm elements 2240 mayfurther be configured to rotate open and closed at a pivot point wherethe arm keying features 2442 and handle keying features 2432 mate. Thekeying features 2432 and 2442 may further limit the range of rotationsof the arm elements 2240. In some embodiments, such as with theinductive clamp device embodiment 2210, the keying features 2432 and2442 may further be configured to allow the arm elements 2240 to beremoved and replaced by the same or a variety of differently configuredarms.

In some inductive clamp embodiments, electronic circuitry and/or othermechanisms, such as mechanical or electromechanical components, fordesignating and selecting utility type may be disposed within a deviceseparate from the clamp embodiments described herein. One example suchdevice embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 26A and 26B as utilitydesignator device embodiment 2600. The utility designator deviceembodiment 2600 may connect to an attachment tool, such as the variousinductive clamp device embodiments disclosed herein, through a connector2610 on one end and a transmitter or other system tool through connector2620 on the other. The utility designator device 2600 may include a leftbutton 2630 (FIG. 26A), right button 2640 (FIG. 26A), and aselect/attention button 2650 configured for user input that may furtherbe used to select a utility type and indicate associateddata/information to a transmitter and/or other system tools. An LCDdisplay 2660 (as shown in FIG. 26A) may be included on or within utilitydesignator device 2600 to provide user feedback and/or displayinformation. For example, utility type may be displayed upon LCD display2660, allowing a user to scroll through available utility typeselections using left button 2630 and right button 2640 and selectutility type with the select/attention button 2650. Further feedback maybe provided to the user through a speaker 2670 positioned on the back ofutility designator device 2600. Audible indicators of utility types,warnings of incorrect attachment tool type, and or other information maybe used with utility designator device 2600. Electronic signals or datacorresponding to the selected utility type or other parameter may begenerated by one or more processing elements in or coupled to theutility designator device 2600 and may be stored in memory, used byother circuit elements, such as to generate display information, and/ortransmitted to other locate system devices or other electronic computingdevices or systems.

When a utility type is selected, pressing of the select/attention button2630 may indicate to a transmitter and/or other system devices that autility designator device, such as the utility designator device 2600 ofFIGS. 26A and 26B, is present. Data regarding utility type and/orattachment tool type, for instance inductive clamp, clip, and/orinductive stick device described subsequently herein, may be exchangedbetween the transmitter device and/or other system devices. Thefunctioning of the transmitter/system may thereby be changed/customizedbased on information of a known utility type and/or attachment tooltype. The various clamp devices, transmitter, and/or system may beconfigured to function both with or without the presence of an utilitydesignator device in some embodiments.

As illustrated in FIGS. 27A and 27B, utility designator devices. such asthe utility designator devices 2600, may be connected in a utilitylocating system such as utility locating system 2700 (as shown in FIG.27A) located between a transmitter device 2710 and various attachmenttools. For instance, inductive clamps devices 2720 which may be any ofthe inductive clamp devices disclosed herein, clips 2730, inductivestick devices 2740 (as shown in FIG. 27A and further discussed withFIGS. 28-31), and/or other attachment tools may be connected to utilitydesignator devices 2600 further connected to transmitter device 2710.

Utility locating system 2700 may further include a utility locatordevice 2750 configured to detect current signal provided to hidden orburied utilities to induce electromagnetic signals onto a conductor(s),such as the utility lines 2760, which is typically buried underground orotherwise at least partially hidden from direct access for purposes oflocating the buried utility line(s) and/or other conductors. The utilitylocator device 2750 and/or transmitter device 2710 and/or other systemdevices/tools. The utility locator device 2750 may be similar in aspectsto the locator 150 of FIG. 1. The transmitter device 2710 may be similarin aspects to the transmitter module 120 of FIG. 1.

Turning again to FIG. 27A, a data communications link may be establishedbetween the utility locator device 2750 and/or transmitter device 2710and/or other system devices/tools via one or more wired or wirelesscommunication modules. The link may be wireless and be established usinga wireless data communications module in, or a wired datalink to thevarious attachment tools and/or the transmitter device 2710 and/orutility designator devices 2600. The link may be used to receive dataand information from the utility locator device 2750, and/or send dataand information to the utility locator device 2750, such as datareceived from a corresponding locator or other electronic computingdevice, or data sent to a corresponding locator or other electroniccomputing device. The utility locator device 2750 and transmitter device2710 as shown may include a corresponding wireless data communicationsmodule or modules such as described herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 27B, the transmitter device 2710 may be used topower both a utility designator device 2600 and connected attachmenttool such as an inductive clamp device in keeping with the presentdisclosure. In various utility locating system embodiments, powerprovided to the utility designator device and/or other connectedattachment tool may be direct or alternating current. Data may beexchanged between the utility designator device 2600 and transmitterdevice 2710.

Turning to FIG. 28, details of an embodiment 2740 of an induction stickdevice are illustrated. Induction stick device 2740 may externallyinclude a cylindrical outer shell piece or element 2810 with a front cap2820 and rear cap 2830 seated on either end of the outer shell piece2810, and electronics and other elements may be disposed within theouter shell. A wiring connector assembly 2840 may pass centrally throughthe rear cap 2830 allowing a cord (not illustrated) used to connect theinduction stick device 2740 to a transmitter, utility designator device,battery, and/or other device.

Turning to FIGS. 29 and 30, the induction stick device 2740 may furtherinclude a cylindrical wire wrap 2910, which may be dimensioned andpositioned within the outer shell piece 2810. The wire wrap 2910 may becomprised of turns of wire which may be litz wire to reduce highfrequency losses or other wire types or conductive elements. The wirewrap 2910 may circumscribe a magnetic core assembly 2920. The magneticcore assembly may comprise one or more sectional core pieces 2925. Thesectional core pieces 2925 may be comprised of ferrite or otherconductive materials. Details regarding sectional ferrite pieces thatmay be used in various embodiments are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/027,027, entitled SONDE DEVICES INCLUDING ASECTIONAL FERRITE CORE STRUCTURE, filed Sep. 13, 2013 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/215,290, entitled SONDE DEVICES INCLUDING ASECTIONAL FERRITE CORE, filed Mar. 17, 2014, which are incorporated byreference herein.

The wire wrap 2910, circumscribing the magnetic core assembly 2920, mayfurther be connected to electronic circuitry, which may in part situatedon a PCB 2930 or other circuit elements, allowing for one or moresignals to be induced onto the utility line or other conductor by theinduction stick device 2740. An outer core retainer 2940 may bepositioned along the outer length of the magnetic core assembly 2920,while an inner core retainer 2950 may be position within the magneticcore assembly 2920 aiding the magnetic core assembly 2920 in keeping acylindrical form. A front core retainer piece 2960 and a back coreretained piece 2970 may further be seated on either end of the magneticcore assembly 2920 to aid to holding the sectional core pieces 2925 in acylindrical form.

The PCB 2930 may seat snugly within the magnetic core assembly 2920 andinner core retainer 2950 and partially within the front cap 2820 andfront core retainer piece 2960. Wiring (not illustrated) mayelectrically connect the wire wrap 2910 to PCB 2930 and PCB 2930 towiring connector assembly 2840 for purposes of communicating data and/ortransferring power.

The wiring connector assembly 2840 may further be comprised of a cordconnector 2982 which may include a cord (not illustrated) used toconnect the induction stick device 2740 to a transmitter, utilitydesignator device, battery, and/or other device. A nut 2984 may seat onthe end of the cord connector 2982 which may further plug into connectorjack 2986 with o-ring 2988 positioned within connector jack 2986 betweenthe connector jack 2986 and cord connector 2982. Wiring (notillustrated) may connect the connector jack 2986 and PCB 2930.

A cylindrical connector sleeve 2990 may be positioned such that theconnector jack 2986 may be seated within one end and the end of the cordconnector 2982 partially within the other. Externally positioned threadson the end of the connector sleeve 2990, seating the connector jack2986, may mate with a nut 2992 and be used to secure the connectorsleeve 2990 and overall wiring connector assembly 2840 to the rear cap2830. An O-ring 2994 may seat between the connector sleeve 2990 and rearcap 2830 in assembly. A locking sleeve 2996 may screw onto externallypositioned threads on the end of the connector sleeve 2990 seating theend of the cord connector 2982 and further secure to the cord connector2982 to hold the cord connector 2982 securely to the locking sleeve2996.

Some inductive stick embodiments may include circuitry such as theenhanced Hi-Q circuit 3100 embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 31. Asillustrated, Hi-Q circuit 3100, in comparison to a standard Hi-Q tankcircuit, eliminates the need for a second set of coil windings, improvesefficiency by eliminating one set of capacitances, and allows for theinput signal to be a square waveform. The use of circuitry such as theHi-Q circuit 3100 may further automatically isolate direct current fromthe signal, making balance and/or balanced supplies unnecessary.

Turning to FIG. 32, some inductive stick device embodiments, such asinductive stick embodiment 3210 as shown, may be configured to operateas a stand-alone device. The inductive stick device embodiment 3210 mayfurther have a cord 3220 connecting a battery terminal 3230 seating abattery 3240. The battery 3240 may be used to power the inductive stick3210.

Still referring to FIG. 32, the induction stick embodiment 3210 mayinclude a tuning dial 3212 configured to allow the user to selectfrequencies. A utility designator dial 3214 may also be included in theinduction stick 3210 configured to allow a user to select a utilitytype. Inputs from these dials/selectors may be provided to a processingelement within the induction stick to generate corresponding electronicsignals and/or data corresponding with the selected parameters. Thesesignals or data may be stored in a memory of the induction stick and/ortransmitted via wired or wireless communication modules to other locatesystem devices. In alternative embodiments a switch, dial, and/or othermechanism for selecting utility type may be included on the inductivestick device 3210, cord 3220, battery terminal 3230, battery 3240,and/or on another system device or devices that may be located remotely.The inductive stick 3210 and/or associated components/devices may beconfigured with a communications module (not illustrated) to exchangedata using one or more wireless and/or wired communication methods. Forinstance, the utility type and/or frequency selected may be communicatedto a transmitter and/or utility locator device.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions, methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented in whole or in part inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or moreinstructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readablemedia includes computer storage media. Storage media may be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a computer.

As used herein, an electronic computing device or system may be any of avariety of electronic devices including computing/processingfunctionality, memory, and associated peripherals. Examples includesnotebook computer systems, tablet devices, smart phones, server systems,database systems, as well as other devices with computer processing,memory, I/O and associated elements for receiving, sending, storing,processing, displaying, archiving, and otherwise processing electronicdata and information.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media caninclude RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium thatcan be used to carry or store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media

The various illustrative functions and circuits described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein with respect to the variousdescribed functions may be implemented or performed in one or moreprocessing elements with a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

The presently claimed invention is not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element inthe singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessspecifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specificallystated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrasereferring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combinationof those items, including single members. As an example, “at least oneof: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b andc; and a, b and c.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use embodiments of thepresently claimed invention. Various modifications to these aspects willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the genericprinciples defined herein may be applied to other aspects withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure and presentlyclaimed invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to be limited tothe aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the appended Claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An inductive clamp for use in utilitylocate operations to inductively couple current signals generated in atransmitter to a hidden or buried conductor, comprising: a head assemblyincluding a base element and a plurality of movable arm elementsmechanically coupled to the base element; a utility selector elementcoupled to the head assembly of the inductive clamp for providing, via acommunications link, user selected utility type data to the transmitter;a magnetic core subassembly, disposed in the arm elements, forgenerating a magnetic field for coupling to a targeted utility, themagnetic core subassembly including one or more ferrite elements and awire winding wrapped about the one or more ferrite elements; and anelectrical connector input to receive the current signal from atransmitter cable and provide the current signal to the wire winding. 2.The inductive clamp of claim 1, wherein the arm elements are movablyopened and closed upon user actuation.
 3. The inductive clamp of claim1, wherein the arm elements are movably closable in response to contactwith a utility line.
 4. The inductive clamp of claim 1, wherein the armelements are retained in an open or closed configuration by a pluralityof magnets disposed in an orientation to provide an attractive forcetherebetween.
 5. The inductive clamp of claim 1, further including atensioning element for holding the arm elements in a selected position.6. The inductive clamp of claim 1, further comprising an integrated GPSreceiver module and a data transmitter to send positional data providedfrom the GPS receiver module to an associated utility locator ortransmitter.
 7. The inductive clamp of claim 1, wherein the utilityselector element includes a sensor assembly and electronics to sense aposition or orientation of the utility selector element and provide anoutput signal corresponding to the selected position or orientation. 8.The inductive clamp of claim 7 further comprising a communicationsmodule, wherein the output signal is provided as a wired or wirelessoutput signal from the communications module.
 9. The inductive clamp ofclaim 1, wherein the position or orientation of the utility selectorelement is stored in a non-transitory memory in the inductive clamp. 10.The inductive clamp of claim 1, further comprising a sonde forgenerating a dipole magnetic field signal for sensing by a utilitylocator or transmitter.
 11. The inductive clamp of claim 1, furthercomprising an integrated transmitter module.
 12. The inductive clamp ofclaim 1, further comprising a handle assembly coupled to the headassembly.
 13. The inductive clamp of claim 12, wherein the utilityselector element is mounted to or disposed on the handle assembly. 14.The inductive clamp of claim 1, wherein the utility selector elementincludes a turning dial.
 15. The inductive clamp of claim 1, wherein theutility selector element includes a sensor assembly and electronics tosense a selected position of the utility selector element and provide anoutput signal corresponding to the selected position to a remotelycoupled utility locator or transmitter.
 16. The inductive clamp of claim15, further comprising a communication module, wherein the output signalis provided as a wired or wireless output signal from the communicationmodule to the remotely coupled utility locator or transmitter.
 17. Theinductive clamp of claim 15, wherein the utility selector elementincludes an off mode switch to power off the inductive clamp fromtransmitting data to the remotely coupled utility locator ortransmitter.
 18. The inductive clamp of claim 15, further comprising anon-transitory memory to store the sensed position of the utilityselector element.
 19. The inductive clamp of claim 1, further comprisinga magnetic core subassembly disposed on or in the head assembly forgenerating a magnetic field for coupling to the hidden or buriedconductor.
 20. The inductive clamp of claim 19, wherein the magneticcore subassembly includes a plurality of ferrite elements and wirewinding wrapped about one or more of the ferrite elements.